Some relationships need to end. — The call came Thursday afternoon. I could tell by Michelle’s voice that she was nervous. “The outgoing provost decided not to renew your contract for next year.” Immediate panic bitch-slapped me. How would I get health insurance? How will I access all those great research databases? …

Put some motion into your mindfulness. — You wake up in a total panic. You feel like someone has put a vacuum cleaner hose to your mouth. You just can’t breathe. You go to work, and perhaps you’re productive, but each spare moment brings you back to your racing thoughts. So you keep working. You keep moving…

Religious groups don’t cater much to single people. — If you ever hear me on my live meditation sessions on Insight Timer, you might be surprised to hear that I’m Catholic. Yes, I bring up my faith every once in a while, but I also acknowledge how other spiritual traditions inform my walk. Although I serve in my current…

“Thoughts and prayers” are just slacktivism. — My favorite cycling platform hosted several unity rides in support of the people of Ukraine. The company itself pledged $25,000 to the UN Refugee Agency and encouraged its riders to support as well. This morning’s ride had more than 1800 cyclists, which is a rather healthy turnout. The platform allows…

It’s not about listening to your emotions. — I recently received a very flattering message from someone on a social media app. He was an attractive older gentleman wearing a military uniform. In years past, I would wonder, “Maybe this is my knight in shining armor.” I would remember those romantic movies about how two random strangers met…

A deep dive into a 1989 letter might put your body, mind, and spirit at ease. — Members of my prayer group had been sharing about our struggles during COVID. I was one of the few who loved being at home, away from my students, so that I could spend more time cultivating my spiritual life. When I shared how much I loved the extra time for…

You don’t have to respond to them, but it helps to understand them. — Internet trolls — you can’t live with them, and you can’t spray them with Raid. I typically don’t respond to internet trolls because that’s really what they want — to get an emotional reaction out of you. It’s one thing to disagree with someone, but internet trolls are only looking…

You can sacrifice your integrity or tell the truth. — You might remember Phoebe Buffay, Lisa Kudrow’s character on Friends, who once sang at a children’s library. She sang songs about how hamburgers are dead cows and why you shouldn’t sleep with people to make them like you. Sure, she sang about “the truth,” but that’s not appropriate for children…

This mental health contagion is too heavy for my pay grade. — David found me in the hallway eight minutes before the last class of the semester. I was surprised to see him, given that I hadn’t seen him in class since the beginning of November. “Can I talk to you about my grade?” Most college professors know this story. Since students…